§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any record is kept of payments made by Naval officers out of their own money for ship services, and whether such payments are reported to the Admiralty; whether the practice is limited to officers of particular ranks or branches, or is permitted generally; and whether, in any case of such expenditure, the consent of a superior officer is necessary.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNO record such as that which is suggested is kept, nor are the payments reported to the Admiralty. There is no limitation with respect to the ranks of particular officers, nor is the consent of a superior officer necessary. The general policy of the Admiralty with regard to such expenditure was stated by me in reply to the hon. Member on Monday, the 23rd inst.†
† See page 491.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONWill the Admiralty reconsider this extraordinary practice with a view to its abolition?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERAt present it is impossible and undesirable to make any actual prohibition.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONI beg to give notice that I will call attention to the subject on the Estimates.